Yorma Kennels

Maltese dogs have the look of an aristocrat and were favored by royalty over the years. But they’re also typically playful, energetic, and loving dogs who adore the attention of their dog parents.

Maltese dog facts

There are lots of fun facts about the history and attributes of this small, yet stately looking breed:

• It’s thought that Maltese dogs originated in Malta, which is a small island nation south of Sicily, Italy. It’s also where they get their name.
• Malta was known for its opulence and sophistication, so this origin story really fits this breed.
• Maltese dogs have been highly valued throughout time. In fact, it’s said that one Maltese dog was sold for the equivalent of $2,000 in the 1500s.
• This breed was loved by royalty, including Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Elizabeth I. They both had Maltese dogs at their palaces.
• They are considered to be hypoallergenic,  so they make great dogs for people with allergies.
• Maltese dogs are infamous for being picky eaters. Maybe this goes back to their silver spoon heritage!

• They have a cute black button nose that can turn pink if the dog doesn’t get enough sun. The noses of female Maltese dogs can also turn pink when they are in heat. They make wonderful therapy dogs for many reasons, including their small size and loving personalities.

These dogs are real people pleasers—it’s hard not to scoop them up in your arms and cover them with loving kisses!

Physical Traits

Maltese dogs only grow to around 7 - 12 inches (18 – 30 cm) in height and weigh about 4 - 8 pounds (2—4 kg).   They are the perfect size for snuggling on your lap.   They are probably best known for their long and silky white coat that hangs down to the ground.      They initially came in colors other than white, but today they only come in white!!.     They do not have an undercoat and shed very little.    However, their coat needs regular brushing to keep it from getting matted.    Their long hair can be tied in a topknot to keep it out of their eyes or trimmed short in what’s called a   “puppy cut.”          This cut makes them look like an adorable baby furball at any age.

Maltese dogs also have cute floppy ears, a compact body with sloping shoulders, and a tufted tail that curls over their back. They are nicely proportioned with a slightly-rounded head, a black nose, and brown eyes.

Personality

• A dog’s personality is based largely on their environment and experiences with the world, but this breed is known to have a number of wonderful character traits. They are typically gentle, loving, obedient, affectionate, smart, and trusting.     They are also fun, lively, and very playful even as they get older.
• They adore humans and like to be very close to them—either right underfoot, cozy in your arms, or cuddling in your lap. Because they like attention and closeness so much, they can be prone to separation anxiety. You can help avoid separation anxiety by crate training your Maltese dog. This gives your little friend a safe and cozy place to rest when you have to leave them home alone.
• Maltese dogs typically make for great family dogs and are good with older children, but can be snappish with younger children.     You can help prevent this behavior by socializing your Maltese dog early and by giving them lots of exposure to small kids.
• Since they are such people pleasers, they can be trained fairly well and pick up new tricks easily.       However, you may need a little extra time and patience to housetrain them.   They are also known to be picky eaters, and may require more than a simple can of dog food.     In addition, they are very alert and tend to react to unfamiliar noises or people with a flurry of barking.  Teaching them the difference between when to bark and when not helps a lot.

Care

• As with any dog, you should check their eyes and ears regularly for abnormalities, trim their nails when they get too long, and take them to the veterinarian for annual checkups.

Grooming

• While Maltese dogs don’t shed much, they need regular brushing to keep their coats from getting matted. They also need to be groomed every few months and get an occasional bath—maybe once every two to three weeks unless they get into something particularly messy.
• This breed is prone to tear staining where the area around the eyes turns dark. It’s important to clean the hair around their eyes every day to help avoid this discoloration. You can use a soft washcloth or cotton ball to get the job done. Maltese dogs also tend to have a lot of hair in their ears, which needs to be trimmed by a groomer.

      Dental Care       

You can offer them safe chew toys to help promote healthy teeth and gums. Chew toys have the added benefit of keeping your dog from chewing on things they shouldn’t, like the couch cushions or your favorite shoes.

      Exercise

• Since they are small dogs, they have lower activity needs than larger breeds. They typically do fine with about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise a day. You can take them out for a walk, play an energetic game of fetch, or encourage them to run around the house if it’s too cold to go outside.

      Nutrition

• It can be easy to overfeed a small dog, so be sure to measure out food portions at meal times. You don’t want your dog putting on too much weight since obesity can cause all sorts of health issues from diabetes to joint problems. Maltese dogs can be finicky eaters, so you may need to try out a few brands of dog food before you find one they won’t turn their nose up at.
• Maltese dogs, like all dogs, love treats. It’s OK to offer them a few treats now and then, but don’t go overboard.   They can be high in unhealthy fats and sugars. In addition, you can supplement their diets with dog-safe food, such as bits of skinless cooked chicken, steamed vegetables, or apples cut up into bite-sized pieces.
• It’s also important to know what not to feed your Maltese dog, such as onions, garlic, Macadamia nuts, and raisins.

 Maltese dogs are known to be jumpers, especially when they’re excited. Teach them from a small puppy NOT to jump against you or any other person!!   

     STILL MY FAVOURITE BREED ! ! !